The Trussell Trust runs the largest network of foodbanks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis. Thirteen million people live below the poverty line and in the last year we gave 1,332,952 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis.

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Through the minefield with the PH Holt Foundation

22nd September 2018

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Even to an expert the UK benefits system is a minefield. Try and imagine what it must be like for someone whose previous contact with it has been minimal or non-existent.

Many of the clients referred to us for food have become ensnared in its intricacies which has meant that their food poverty problems are either caused by or exacerbated by an inability to claim what they are entitled to, or who have been subject to dubious decision making by the DWP resulting in them being sanctioned and without benefits for weeks at a time.

Financial cutbacks as a result of austerity measures have meant that the avenues for such clients to seek help and advice have narrowed over recent years and become grossly overloaded.

To combat this for our clients we set up a Welfare Benefits Advice arm and the need for it has been amply demonstrated over the past months. Such a system, despite being largely operated by dedicated volunteers, does cost money to maintain and operate – a commodity which is in short supply within a foodbank

We are delighted to now have had the support of the P.H. Holt Foundation who have given us a grant of £5000 to enable this work to continue and expand.

The PH Holt Foundation, incorporating the Holt Education Trust, is an independent grant-maker supporting local communities, education, the arts, heritage and environment on Merseyside. They award grants to charities doing work that meets their overriding aim of making Merseyside a better place to live.

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Southport Foodbank

Our aim is to help local people in crisis by providing three day's basic food supplies. We offer this in a friendly, non-judgemental environment where clients are welcomed with a cup of tea or coffee and through a chat with one of our trained, volunteer advisers we hope to be able to support them both by practical help with food and by signposting to other partner, specialist agencies where their difficulties can be resolved or alleviated.

We have six distribution centres, geographically spread through the area and open on different days of the week.

In addition to this we are now able to assist clients who may have debt problems by assisting them to budget and negotiating with their creditors, removing some of the stress.

Our service is both free and totally confidential and clients can come to us with confidence and without stigma.

The foodbank is part of Southport & Formby Churches Debt Centre Ltd. Registered charity number 1172948 | Registered in England and Wales

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